What time and TV channel is Ulster vs Montpellier on in the Challenge Cup final tonight?
Ulster are hoping to win a first major trophy in 20 years when they take on Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup final in Bilbao.There had been some good news on the injury front in that Robert Baloucoune will start his first game for the province since being injured playing for Ireland last March.But Richie Murphy's side are hampered by the absences of Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Robb Herring and Iain Henderson.Montpellier, second to Toulouse in the Top 14 and unbeaten in this competition this season, are chasing a third European Challenge Cup crown, having previously lifted the trophy in 2016 and 2021.The numbers suggest there is little to separate the two finalists as Ulster have 239 points to here in this season’s competition, Montpellier have recorded 235The French side, however, have crossed for 36 tries compared to Ulster’s 33 although the Irish province hold the edge for conversions 25-21.WHO: Montpellier Hérault v UlsterWHAT: European Challenge Cup Final.WHEN: Friday 22nd MayWHERE: Athletic Bilbao’s San Mamés StadiumKICK-OFF TIME: 9PM local/ 8pm UK/Irish timeReferee: Karl Dickson (Eng)JEOPARDY! *If Ulster win the competition, they would qualify for next season’s Investec Champions Cup, taking the BKT URC allocation place currently occupied by Connacht in eighth.**However, if Connacht were then to go on and win the BKT URC Championship title, they would also qualify automatically for the Champions Cup as URC champions. In that scenario, Connacht would regain a Champions Cup place, with the side that finished seventh in the table, the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions, dropping into the EPCR Challenge Cup instead.DID YOU KNOW?*Ulster have five players in their startling line-up with more than 100 appearances for the province - Tom O’Toole (141), Nick Timoney (183), Nathan Doak (109), James Hume (118) and Michael Lowry (135)*These sides last met in the competition in 2024, when Ulster knocked Montpellier out in the Round of 16.*The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup feature clubs from the English Premiership, TOP 14 and United Rugby Championship.*Adding in a representative from Georgia this makes for 42 clubs from three leagues across eight unions compete each season.QUOTES CORNER:Ulster Coach Richie Murphy: "Knowing that our season finishes after this week will probably help us in that regard, and the really good rugby that we've played throughout the year probably needs to be finished off."Montpellier are not a typical French team, their squad depth, that is far superior to ours. There is a little bit of English influence in there as well with the likes of Billy Vunipola but in relation to three teams that are very close to the same level."They have massive pack of forwards and plenty of backs who move really quick, and very, very good. It's going to be a massive task but it's one that we're well up for.”Montpellier’s Billy Vunipola on a new lease of life in France: “I had to prove myself to every single person in the changing rooms that I wasn't here for a pay cheque. I wasn't here to pack up my bags and enjoy the last few years of my career."It was the same noises when I left Wasps to go to Saracens. I had to knuckle down and prove to them that I was there for rugby. I always knew that no matter what I could say to them, the only way I could prove that I was here for the right reasons was to show them."There was those doubts in my mind and I had to prove to myself almost that I can still do this. It was great to have a challenge where I was the new kid at school almost. I want to try and keep going as long as I can. I can still jam at 33. I thought I'd be done by now, but I still feel good."BETTING: Montpellier 4/11 draw 20/1 Ulster 23/10Handicap: Ulster +7 10/11. Selected others: Each team to score 10+ points in each half 4/1; Nick Timoney to score a try & Ulster to win 9/1; Tom Stewart to score 1st and second tries of the match 100/1.WHAT TV CHANNELS ARE SHOWING THE MATCH?: Premier Sport, ITV, France TV, beIN SPORTS, EPCRugby.TV, FloRugby and Movistar+.TEAMSMONTPELLIER HÉRAULT: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Gabriel N'Gandebe, 13. Arthur Vincent, 12. Auguste Cadot, 11. Donovan Taofifenua, 10. Domingo Miotti, 9. Ali Price, 1. Enzo Forletta, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Mohamed Haouas, 4. Florian Verhaeghe, 5. Tyler DuGuid, 6. Lenni Nouchi, 7. Alex Becognee, 8. Billy Vunipola captReplacements: 16. Lyam Akrab, 17. Baptiste Erdocio, 18. Wilfrid Hounkpatin, 19. Adam Beard, 20. Marco Tauleigne, 21. Leo Coly, 22. Thomas Darmon, 23. Jon EchegarayULSTER: 15. Mike Lowry, 14. Robert Baloucoune, 13. James Hume, 12. Jude Postlethwaite, 11. Zac Ward, 10. Jack Murphy, 9. Nathan Doak, 1. Angus Bell, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Tom O'Toole, 4. Harry Sheridan, 5. Cormac Izuchukwu, 6. Dave McCann, 7. Nick Timoney capt, 8. Juarno AugustusReplacements: 16. James McCormick, 17. Eric O'Sullivan, 18. Scott Wilson, 19. Charlie Irvine, 20. Bryn Ward, 21. Conor McKee, 22. Jake Flannery, 23. Ethan McilroyClick here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond.
